Since he was young, Sgt. David Larsen has always had an extreme interest in aviation technology and becoming a pilot. “Every boy’s dream to fly at incredible speed,” he said. “I joined the USAF in pursuit of that dream, but unfortunately health issues got in the way. So, I instead threw myself into the maintenance side of the field and have enjoyed it ever since.”
Larsen started out as a weapons loader and weapons systems maintainer working F-15 Strike Eagles and A-10 Warthogs. He retrained into Aircraft Metals Technology, and now run that section for the HH-60 Rescue Helicopters out of Nellis AFB Las Vegas. He has won numerous quarterly USAF awards, but he says his most prestigious is Air Combat Command’s Armament Technician of the Year award.
Larsen received all of his training from Sheppard AFB, and on-the-job training. Additionally, he has completed two advanced supervisor training schools, two advanced metallurgic training schools, Six Sigma training and hold a Craftsman skill level competency in two Air Force Specialty Code designations.
His current position has Larsen training and mentoring the members placed under him. He is also the focal point concerning any HH-60 upgrades needing testing. “An engineer approaches me with a problem, and we have to figure out how to correct it,” Larsen said. “This also takes place all across this region of the United States. Travis AFB, Beale AFB, Creech AFB and many others. All come to us when they have an issue, Aerospace or any other, for us to make right.”
Besides making rank, Laresen’s goals are to continue spreading his knowledge to the future generation of airman. “Whether they stay for an entire career, or just one enlistment, I know I can teach them something. It is my intent to better prepare anyone I can for their journey through life,” he noted.
Dustin Dunleavy, Maintenance Flight Superintendent at USAF/855 Aircraft Maintenance Squadron, said over the past two years, Technical Sergeant David Larsen has had a profound impact to the maintenance operations, capabilities and training opportunities for the men and women of the Helicopter Rescue Squadrons on Nellis Air Force Base.
“A critical deficiency was recently discovered when performing maintenance operations on the MQ-9 Reaper Drones above an ambient temperature of 90 degrees Fahrenheit. Sergeant Larsen led a team that engineered and fabricated adapters allowing ground servicing carts to provide air-conditioned HVAC to all critical electronic components. These adapters effectively enabled 24-hour, worldwide launch capability for the entire $5.8 billion dollar Department of Defense Reaper Fleet. In order to adequately train on weapons safing and clearing procedures, flight crews would have to source, and ground an aircraft for the entire duration of their training class. This would not only delay critical training but also put a strain on the USAF’s largest HH-60 flying hour program. Sergeant Larsen developed an idea to fabricate a table top mounted gun stand which could be used with either the 50 caliber machine gun, or the 20 caliber minigun. These inventions returned that time back to the grounded aircraft, and provided a more controlled environment in which to train on gun maintenance. His idea increased the amount of individuals trained by 160 students annually, and became the new standard operating equipment for the United States Air Force. Technical Sergeant Larsen epitomizes the USAF’s Core Values and is well deserving of this award.”
